Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar Table of Contents Sustainability Projects Inalkmaar Table of Contents

Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar Table of contents Sustainability Projects inAlkmaar Table of contents

Introduction 4 Introduction P.M. Bruinooge Mayor of Alkmaar 5

Alkmaar 6 Alkmaar and his region 6 Alkmaar trade city 6 Victory began in Alkmaar! 6

HVC: energy en waste 8 Waste and raw materials 8 Renewable energy 9 Most sustainable district heating in the Netherlands 10 A future without natural gas 11

INNOVATION: InVesta & Energy Innovation Park 12 InVesta, Expertise Centre for Green Gas 12 Ambigo 13 SCW 13 NXT fuelling station 13 Infra Energy Innovation Park: opportunities for a smart grid 13

Knowledge, Innovation and Entrepreneurship 14 Incubator for Sustainable Energy Alkmaar 14 Data Science Alkmaar 16

Sustainable sports facilities 17 AFAS Stadium 17 De Meent Ice Rink and Sports Complex 18 Hoornse vaart 18

City Service Desk for Sustainable Building 19

Pictures by: Ritske Velstra Renata Jansen HVC Rob Verhagen Fotostudio Wick Natzijl

Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar 3 Introduction

Naam brochure Introduction

Dear reader,

A common challenge that we are all facing is the need to curb our CO₂ emissions. Many different kinds of technology for sustainable energy generation and energy efficiency already exist, but implementing these in real life situations is a major difficulty for the years to come.

In collaboration with a range of partners, the City of Alkmaar is working on addressing this issue of sustainability. Some impressive projects have been completed and there are still many projects which will contribute to sustainable energy production and the reduction of carbon emissions in the pipeline,. In this way, the City of Alkmaar, together with its stakeholders, is contributing to the global climate challenge.

Alkmaar cannot manage without the parties concerned in the field of sustainability, waste processing, knowledge and innovation. I am proud of the results that have been achieved! This brochure will tell you more about the sustainable projects in the city of Alkmaar and our alliance partners. In addition, we are convinced that we have to look abroad for experience and expertise in this field.

Best regards, The Mayor of Alkmaar P.M. Bruinooge

Naam brochure 5 Alkmaar

Alkmaar and the region Victory began in Akmaar! In the heart of the world’s largest tulip fields, The city's residents grew rich on duties and close to magnificent sandy beaches, and trade, and were fond of investing in the large, surrounded by picturesque polders and quaint richly-decorated homes and warehouses that villages, Alkmaar is the centre of the north of still dominate the centre. These days, Alkmaar Noord-Holland. A region with about 650,000 isn't just a city with a strong cultural and inhabitants, a half-hour drive from Amsterdam historical heritage, it's also an enterprising, and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, and an hour modern city with almost 8,000 companies from Rotterdam Seaport. Alkmaar's history and a workforce of about 52,000. Alkmaar began with its development into an important and the north of Noord-Holland region offer location for transfer and trade. new business abundant opportunities. The favourable location, the business climate and Alkmaar, trade city the mercantile spirit of the people here are Alkmaar has further developed its position as strong assets that are typical of Alkmaar. a centre for trade over the years, providing The history of Alkmaar began in 1254, when an extremely appealing range of shops, count Willem II of Holland granted Alkmaar educational institutions and facilities for its town charter. Alkmaar can be found in business services. the history books as the first town that was The city’s position as a regional centre for the liberated from the Spanish after the Eighty north of Noord-Holland is reflected in the fact Years' War (1568 – 1648). ‘Victory began in that it is home to a leading medical facility (the Alkmaar’ is a familiar expression that is still Alkmaar Medical Centre), to the district court used to describe the heroism of that time. On and the Department of Public Prosecutions. 8 October 1573, the Spanish were forced to

6 Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar Alkmaar

flee from the water after rebels pierced the dikes, the start of a period of prosperity for the people of the city.

Alkmaar, historical city Alkmaar has almost 3,600 listed and historical buildings in the rural areas and the old city. Many of the historical buildings you see in the centre of the city stem directly from the time when Alkmaar was a rich, leading location for transfer and trade, and most transport was by water. Visitors to Alkmaar's centre can still see, and feel, the city's rich history everywhere around them. The photogenic town hall (built activities around the city in the 16th and 17th between 1509 and 1520) is still used by the century. The people of Alkmaar were skilled city's administrators. It is one of Alkmaar's most developers of the innovative technology of famous historic buildings. windmills for pumping the land dry. They were fierce opponents of the “water wolf”: the open Say cheese, say Alkmaar link with the sea that led to the subsidence of The cheese market is a historical symbol of the peatlands below the surfaces of the lakes much more than the dairy trade alone. It is surrounding the city. a product of the intensive land reclamation HVC: Energy en Waste

HVC is a leading Dutch utility company waste separately. In addition, HVC produces established by and for municipalities and sustainable energy (heat, electricity and water companies. In the Netherlands, gas) from waste, biomass, wind, sun and agreements are in place for mitigating geothermal. HVC supplies that energy to carbon emissions and for the recovery of raw municipalities, water authorities, business and materials. individual consumers.

The government authorities participating in HVC Waste consists largely of potentially useful have their own targets in this area: raw materials. These resources are becoming • reduction of carbon emissions of 20% by 2020; increasingly scarce and it makes no sense to • raw material recovery amounting to 75% of waste them. So our mission is to recover these the waste flows in municipalities: household raw materials from waste and recycle them. We waste, paper, cardboard, textiles, organic also convert the residual waste from which no waste. raw materials can be recovered into renewable energy through incineration. In this way, we Alkmaar is one of the HVC shareholders. The reduce carbon emissions and dependence HVC head office is in Alkmaar. HVC helps on fossil fuels. To achieve this objective, we Alkmaar to achieve its objectives in the area also develop projects that draw on alternative of waste, raw materials and renewable energy. energy sources such as wind and solar energy. Materials are recycled as much as possible by collecting various types of household

8 Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar HVC: Energy en Waste

Waste and raw materials HVC creates a circular economy for its shareholders as a sustainable waste, raw materials and energy company. HVC does this by reprocessing collected waste and by encouraging the re-use of products at waste collection sites. HVC is increasingly focused on encouraging the public to separate valuable waste (such as paper, biodegradable material and artificial material) and then to submit these materials for collection. HVC processes the waste flows under its own management to ensure that the separated waste will be reintroduced to the market as recycled materials (material re-use). Our challenge is to perform even better in this area.

Waste flows that are not collected separately are processed at Sortiva, a subsidiary of GP Groot and HVC. Sortiva is the company for recycling and recovery. It separates and processes bulky household waste, wood, rubble, green waste, soil, paper, cardboard, plastics and construction and demolition waste. The company processes waste from private individuals, business and municipalities for recycling. A new post-separation plant was heat produced is then used for district heating recently built for plastics. (households and businesses) and for supplies of warm tap water in the region, resulting in a GP Groot acts in three markets: 1) collection and reduction in carbon emissions of about 95%. recycling 2) fuel and oil trading 3) infrastructure The Netherlands generates most of its electricity and engineering. The segments reinforce one by burning coal and gas. Approximately 5% of another in a circular process: waste is collected the energy generated comes from biomass, (by GP Groot) and it is then converted by wind and solar energy. The goal is to raise this means of recycling and processing into high- percentage of green energy to 20% by 2020. grade raw materials and end products (by HVC helps shareholders to achieve their goals Sortiva) and into clean energy (by HVC). by producing renewable energy from waste and biomass but also from solar panels and wind Renewable energy turbines on land and at sea. The waste residue that cannot be recovered usefully is incinerated to produce electricity. The

Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar 9 Together with the City of Alkmaar and other municipalities in the region, HVC is contributing to the acceleration of sustainable energy production in the region with the DECRA incentive fund. DECRA made a flying start in 2014 by investing in a wind turbine in Alkmaar. The wind energy that is produced generates returns that can be used in a revolving fund approach to launch new sustainable projects from individuals, companies and local energy cooperatives.

Most sustainable district heating in the Netherlands HVC is working on the construction of a sustainable heating network in Alkmaar and the neigh- bouring municipalities. This district heating is fed with the heat from the BioEnergy Plant (incineration of wood waste containing paint or glue) and the Waste Incineration Plant. The heat that is released is used first to produce electricity. The residual heat is used to feed the district heating. Because the district heating is connected to the

10 Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar HVC: Energy en Waste

BioEnergy Plant, Alkmaar has the most sustainable district heating in the Netherlands.

The construction of the district heating in Alk- maar began in 2009. At present, more than 4,000 housing units in the city of Alkmaar are connected to the district heating. In addition to housing, the AFAS football stadium, companies, school buildings, the municipal swimming pool and other municipal buildings are also connected to the network. Gas and central heating boilers are no longer needed here. The connection to the district heating reduces carbon emissions by up to 95% and so the district heating in Alkmaar makes a major contribution to the climate objectives.

A future without natural gas The district heating in Alkmaar is developing all the time. In 2018, it will be approximately 20 kilometres long and there will be about 10,000 housing units connected. Most of the district heating in the Netherlands focus primarily on new buildings, but the heat in Alkmaar also supplies heat to older buildings. It is precisely because it is sometimes impossible to insulate existing buildings due to technical or financial natural gas. That is why the city has signed the constraints that a connection to the district heat- 'Areas without Natural Gas' Green Deal with ing can be a useful alternative for natural gas. thirty other municipalities, twelve provincial authorities and five network operators. The aim In the Netherlands, energy consumption for is to accelerate the heat transition by getting to heating in the built environment (homes, busi- work on removing natural gas from local areas nesses, greenhouses) accounts for more than and, as a result: 30% of total energy consumption. Natural gas • to acquire, share and further development of plays a major role. So there is still a lot to do in knowledge; terms of carbon reduction. That is why the Dutch • to eliminate ambiguities in legislation, government has decided that natural gas will no funding, responsibilities and competences; longer be used in the Netherlands by 2050. That • to further public ownership of, and is a major challenge involving many parties. involvement in, these changes.

With its district heating, Alkmaar is in the van- guard of this effort to create a future without

Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar 11 INNOVATION: InVesta & Energy Innovation Park

Alkmaar is working on the construction of a development programmes for green and new economic structure based on the theme renewable energy sources. Companies can now of energy innovation in order to create more realise their innovations in biomass gasification high-quality jobs and sustainable solutions. and related technologies. This means that students can work on inno- In the context of this initiative, two vative solutions to global challenges with the demonstration plants are being developed at latest technological developments. And they this location for producing green gas from dry can be sure that they will find interesting jobs and wet biomass. The available expertise and after they graduate. grade facilities mean that companies and start- Alkmaar has an Energy Innovation Park on the ups can get to work quickly, efficiently and Boekelermeer industrial estate to accommo- economically on the construction, testing and date innovative and energy-related compa- demonstration of test arrays. The knowledge nies. And Alkmaar is working with business, cluster is receiving support from an alliance of, and research and educational institutes, on an energy knowledge and innovation cluster with an international reputation. The focus is on gasification technology – of a kind that is unique in the Netherlands – for the conversion of biomass into green gas, green chemicals and green fuels.

InVesta, Expertise Centre for Green Gas InVesta was launched in 2016 and it facilitates business accommodation and knowledge development, and sets up research and

12 Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar among others, ECN, InHolland, Energy Valley, Taqa, the City of Alkmaar, the Province of Noord-Holland, and Ontwikkelingsbedrijf NHN.

Ambigo An innovative plant – Ambigo – will be installed in 2018 for the extremely efficient conversion NXT is the concept for reducing the burden of biomass (such as waste wood) and other of transport on the environment: fuels are residual flows into green gas that can be used supplied locally in accordance with regional in homes and at business premises, in industry requirements. In Alkmaar, this primarily means and for passenger transport. The green gas LNG: Liquefied Natural Gas. LNG is a clean and is transported through the existing mains quiet alternative to diesel. It reduces emissions network and it will therefore be a sustainable of particulate matter, sulphur and nitrogen. Bio- alternative to natural gas. Ambigo is a research LNG and Hydrogen produced at InVesta and the and demonstration project. The technology demonstration plants will also be available here has been tested in the laboratory and it is now in the future. being upgraded to the industrial scale (4 MW) for the first time to show the world what this technology has to offer. Infra Energy Innovation Park: opportunities for a smart grid SCW • The Boekelermeer estate has a unique SCW Systems has developed another gasification energy infrastructure with a low-, technology: Super-Critical Water Gasification. medium- and high-voltage electricity grid, This technology converts wet biomass (such as a high- and low-calorie gas grid and a manure and sewage sludge) into gas at high district heating. temperatures and under high pressure. The • Energy is produced by wind turbines, technology produces not only green gas but solar panels and by the incineration of also hydrogen and valuable minerals. It can household waste and biomass (HVC). also contribute to solving the problem of excess Energy is also produced from landfill gas. manure. The company is building 10 units with a • Syngas will be produced at the InVesta total capacity of 20 MW at the Energy Innovation Expertise Centre and then developed into Park. Plans are being developed for a second green gas or bio-LNG which is then fed phase involving scaling up to 100 MW. into the grid. • The Boekelermeer estate is also home to NXT fuelling station a number of production companies that The NXT fuelling station on the Boekelermeer use heat and electricity. estate supplies clean fuels. In this way, the • Supply and demand for gas, electricity transport sector is working on improvements and heat are increasing in response to to air quality and the climate. There are good the plans of established companies and alternatives for petrol and diesel but there is newcomers. room for improvement in terms of availability.

Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar 13 Knowledge, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The energy transition requires technolog- and otherwise. Our innovative technologies and ically advanced and bold innovationsin knowledge generates economic and business the field of the circular economy, renew- opportunities for industrial companies and able energy, energy savings, and using government authorities. In order to meet the big data and data science. This challenge energy needs of the future, the world’s energy system needs to become more sustainable. will require new business models that will have to be rendered feasible by means of regional collaboration between businesses and government authorities.

IDEA: Incubator for Sustainable Energy Alkmaar The north of Noord-Holland is well aware of the importance of providing opportunities for more young, innovative companies, both inside and outside the region. The Alkmaar region very much wants to see these companies settle on the Energy Innovation Park (EIPA). IDEA contributes to the achievement of this goal. IDEA ensures that more innovative projects and ideas in the field of sustainable energy will reach the market and it also accelerates that process. This leads to more start-ups and more skilled jobs in the region. IDEA is a collaborative venture involving InHolland, ECN, ENGIE, Teamwork Technology, Ontwikkelingsbedrijf NHN, Energy Valley and the City of Alkmaar.

ECN Companies worldwide choose to work with ECN. ECN is a world leading R&D institute from the Netherlands devoted to energy, renewable

14 Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar Knowledge, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

How can ecn help you? Bio-energy if you wish to be a front-runner in the bio- based economy, team up with ECN. In a sustainable bio-based economy, sustainable biomass plays a major role in the production of materials, chemicals, transportation fuels, power and heat. ECN is at the forefront of developing breakthrough technologies based on the thermochemical conversion of biomass and waste. Technologies which enable you to produce bio-based products such as green gas, torrefaction pellets, heat & power, and a range of biofuels and biochemicals. Our state-of-the- art knowledge and market-oriented approach, as well as close collaboration with our clients, have earned us a leading position in five areas: upgrading biomass to bio-energy carriers, heat and power generation, gasification-based production of SNG (Substitute Natural Gas or Attractive r&d partner green gas) and other gaseous energy carriers, ECN has built up a strong international position thermochemical biorefinery concepts and over the last sixty years in the fields of BECSS (Bio-based Energy or products with bio-energy, solar and wind energy, energy Carbon Capture and Storage). efficiency and policy studies. With around 500 professionals and multiple branches in Europe Wind energy and Asia, ECN plays a prominent role in energy the costs of wind energy must be further R&D and policy advice. reduced. ECN is an enabler and catalyst for the industry to achieve this. We exploit our state-of- Proven track record the-art techniques, knowledge and facilities to: The excellent track record can be illustrated by • increase profitability and efficiency for our the fact that over 60% of all solar modules in customers; the world contain ECN technology. Moreover, • accelerate new technologies to the market; plants have been realised with ECN’s unique • build upon cutting-edge R&D, allowing our MILENA gasification technology for converting customers to be one step ahead. biomass waste into electricity or green gas With our long years of experience, ECN has with an unequalled efficiency of 70%. ECN’s become a leading business partner in wind wind energy expertise is also a success: 80% of energy. Our customers include manufacturers, Europe’s offshore wind farms have been built project developers, owners, operators, with ECN R&D and support. investors and governments/NGOs. We supply specialist and independent technical consultancy for industry to address the

Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar 15 for achieving strategic objectives. Analysis and consultancy for energy-related questions are our key expertise. Our policy experts work in multidisciplinary teams, drawing on the fundamental and applied knowledge of energy technologies, markets and policies. Our analyses clarify the implications of these factors for policymakers, businesses throughout the energy sector, and consumers in all sectors of the economy. We have successfully developed a wide range of modelling tools that challenges of today. For the new concepts to be support our work. applied tomorrow, we welcome collaboration and co-development partners. Data Science Alkmaar Big data is regularly in the picture as a Solar energy major technology trend that will generate The world of solar energy is undergoing enormous opportunities. The problem for revolutionary change. Prices have eroded many organisations is that they often lack the enormously and profit margins have knowledge needed to start and to make the disappeared. This requires rapid action to most of the opportunities. The City of Alkmaar, reduce production costs and improve the the VU-University of Amsterdam and De efficiency of solar panels. We are therefore TelefoonCentrale have therefore launched an engaging in the joint development and initiative to establish a research and innovation implementation of improved processes and centre: Data Science Alkmaar. The main goals of technologies. ECN, as a home to numerous this centre are: breakthrough technologies, is ready to help • to encourage regional economic activity industry to meet this challenge, both in by bringing together knowledge and crystalline silicon and in thin-film solar cells. entrepreneurship; ECN is a flexible partner in solar energy for • to help organisations and government industry, participating in joint development in authorities in the north of Noord-Holland to various ways and in accordance with clients' address issues relating to big data and data wishes. science; • to create an entrepreneurial breeding ground Policy studies for companies that want to develop new Policy and business decisions based upon products and services; our consultancy speed up the transition • to develop, encourage and bundle knowledge to a sustainable energy system. ECN and talent; provides independent expertise relating • to provide a platform for establishing to the development of energy supply and connections and to create a network that consumption, drivers, barriers and regulation makes all the participants stronger. affecting energy markets. It advises solutions

16 Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar Sustainable sports facilities

Alkmaar has many varied, and large, AFAS Stadium sustainable sports facilities. Sustainable The football club AZ Alkmaar puts Alkmaar on sports venues generate many benefits. the international map. It was League Champion Not only are they good for the in 2009, and it is at the top of the table now. environment, they are also financially In combination with the large number of international matches and the enthusiastic fans, advantageous. They cut energy bills there can no longer be any doubt that sports and sustainable clubs score well with are an important factor in promoting the city of members and sponsors. In addition, Alkmaar. AZ has extensive expertise in the field sports associations are often at the of talent development and it is open-minded heart of society, and so making sports when it comes to sharing that expertise with facilities more sustainable also helps the outside world. to raise levels of knowledge about practical sustainability measures. Sustainability is also on the agenda of sports clubs. For example, on the roof of the AFAS Stadium, home to the football club AZ, there are 1,725 solar panels that generate 250,000 kWh annually. That is comparable to the energy needs of 125 households in Alkmaar. The project saves 142 tonnes of carbon emissions.

De Meent Ice Rink and Sports Complex Most sports facilities, buildings and locations in Alkmaar are managed and operated by Alkmaar Sport NV. Sustainability is high on the agenda

Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar 17 Hoornse Vaart The Hoornse Vaart is a pool complex with six swimming pools, including a unique 50-metre pool for training, competitions, and serious swimmers, a wave pool, a 25-metre pool, a teaching pool, a water playground and an outdoor pool. The complex is connected to the HVC district heating and so it contributes the equivalent of about 6,500 solar panels in of Alkmaar Sport, which works on making its terms of reducing carbon emissions. That is the facilities more sustainable. The showpiece is same as 5.5 million car kilometres. Every year, the De Meent Ice Rink and Sports Complex. The approximately 400,000 bathers enjoy water in innovative, modern and sustainable building is the pools and under the showers that is now home to many sports facilities and it can also heated much more sustainably. accommodate elite and grassroots sport events, concerts and fairs.

There are almost 1800 solar panels on the roof of the De Meent Sports Complex. Vincent Thijssen, the director of Alkmaar Sport NV.: 'Not only do the panels result in a significant lowering of our energy bill, there is also a major reduction in carbon emissions. In addition, this investment contributes to the energy awareness of young people, athletes and visitors who use the complex.' The solar panels are one of the sustainable initiatives at De Meent. Other include the energy-efficient ventilation, the LED lighting and the use of residual heat from the ice rink's cooling plant to heat the complex.

18 Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar City Service Desk for Sustainable Building

City Service Desk for Sustainable Building Free and independent advice for making homes more sustainable

The Service Desk for Sustainable Building is the City of Alkmaar's Energy Service Desk. Raoul Santibanez and Roy Langedijk, who were born and bred in the city, founded the service desk in 2011 with the aim of: providing home- owners with free information and independent advice about how to make their homes more sustainable and energy-efficient. The City of Alkmaar thought their initiative had potential and it entered into an alliance as one of the first municipalities in the country. The success of the Service Desk for Sustainable Building has not remained unnoticed and 104 municipalities have now teamed up with the desk. Free and independent Energy Service Desk The Service Desk for Sustainable Building will All homes to be energy-neutral by 2050 guide home-owners through the entire process The city teamed up with the Service Desk for of making their homes sustainable. Sustainable Building against the background The people of the city can go to the website of the duties assigned to it by the national www.duurzaambouwloket.nl for free government. All homes must be energy-neutral information about sustainability systems, by 2050 and they have to be disconnected subsidy schemes and reliable companies that from the natural-gas grid. In practical terms, can install the systems. They can get in touch this means that all homes have to be properly with independent consultants directly by calling insulated and heated using energy without +31 (0)72 7433956 or sending an email to natural gas. Energy consumption for individual [email protected]. homes will have to be covered by sustainable energy generated by individual systems. For more information: So home-owners have a lot to do. The City Michael Ibink of Alkmaar is happy to help its residents by Marketing & Communications Consultant granting them free access to the Service Desk Telephone: +31 (0)72 7433956 for Sustainable Building. Email: [email protected]

Sustainability Projects in Alkmaar 19 Gemeente Alkmaar Postbus 53, 1800 BC Alkmaar Langestraat 97, 1811 JD Alkmaar [email protected]